Visit Nature Connects®: Art with LEGO® Bricks!
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Richmond, VA
Half-a-million LEGO bricks create giant flowers, birds, insects & more
May 27 – September 18, 2016
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
It’s well worth the ride. You can easily spend an entire day enjoying the Garden: marveling at Nature Connects LEGO sculptures, interacting with tropical butterflies in the Butterflies LIVE! exhibit, playing in the Children’s Garden and CWDKids Tree House, splashing in Water Play and exploring 50 acres of blooms like you’ve never seen. Thursday evenings June-September 8, we’re open late (’til 9 p.m.) for Flowers After 5 with live music and activities. There’s great dining and shopping, too!
Did you know one of the best botanical gardens in the United States is located only about 2 hours way from the Washington, D.C. area?
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is a straight drive down I-95 and only minutes off Exit 83B, just north of Richmond, Virginia.
About Nature Connects
Exhibit and related activities included with Garden admission.
$13 adults
$11 seniors 55+
$8 Children (age 3-12)
Free for Children under 3
Free for Garden Members
Parking at the Garden is FREE.
Tickets are available at the Garden 9 a.m to 5 p.m daily, and can be bought at the door. You can also purchase tickets by phone 1-800-594-TIXX. Please note: online & phone sales require 24 hours for processing and convenience fees apply.
Purchase Tickets Online Now
A big bumblebee weighing 60 pounds; a dramatic dragonfly with a three-and-a-half-foot wingspan; and a soaring seven-foot-tall red rose: these are just a few of the sculptures on display at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden May 27 – September 18, 2016, as part of Nature Connects®: Art with LEGO® Bricks. Created with half-a-million LEGO bricks, the award-winning exhibit by New York artist Sean Kenney will feature 27 sculptures in 14 displays throughout the Garden. Cost is included in regular Garden admission.
Many of the sculptures are larger than life and highlight the interconnectivity of all living things. For example, an oversized hummingbird and flower demonstrate concepts of co-evolution. A centerpiece sculpture of an Eastern tiger swallowtail butterfly, built from 37,000 LEGO pieces, draws attention to protecting the habitat of Virginia’s State Insect. There’s even a chance for guests to be part of the exhibit with a photo opportunity built into a mosaic of a garden scene.
Scroll down to see some of the many sculptures and learn about build activities, exhibits and special demos.
Bumblebee
16,383 LEGO pieces
Plants and pollinators have a unique connection. Insects collect nectar, while at the same time, provide pollination for the plant. This relationship is essential for both insect and plant to survive.
Photo: Sean Kenney Studios
Bison and Calf
Mother Bison: 45,143 LEGO pieces
Calf: 16,229 LEGO pieces
The bison on the prairies of this nation’s heartland were almost eliminated when this unique prairie ecosystem was altered. It takes hundreds of years to create the rare ecosystem found in natural prairies.
Photo: Sean Kenney Studios
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly
37,481 LEGO pieces
Butterfly Survey Networks have been established in many U.S. states to watch and count butterfly populations. Harmful changes in an ecosystem can be first detected by counting these easy to identify and fragile insect species.
Photo: Sean Kenney Studios
Fox
Fox: 17,547 LEGO pieces
The fox keeps rabbit populations at optimum levels to preserve their shared habitat.
Photo: Sean Kenney Studios
Goldfinches
5 goldfinches; 575 LEGO pieces used for each
Communication is one way animals stay connected. Communication through bird calls can be between individuals of the same species or even across species. The goldfinch continues to learn songs into adulthood and can recognize its mate by its particular tune.
Photo: Sean Kenney Studios
Planning Your Visit
Our Garden is ideally situated, just off of I-95, we are conveniently located with plenty of free parking and easy access to other nearby Richmond attractions.
Related Activities, Exhibits & Demos
On-going Activities
Build Opportunities: Mosaic Building with LEGO Pieces
Daily, May 27 – September 18; 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Lora M. Robins Library in the Kelly Education Center Library, Fun for all ages!
Build Opportunity: Good Green Fun with LEGO Bricks
June – August, Fridays and Saturdays; 10 a.m. – noon, Children’s Garden
In the “Play and Let it Stay” build area, visitors of all ages can create, tinker, take apart, build and collaborate using LEGO bricks. There will be a different nature based STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) challenge posted each week!
#LEGOutside Instagram Contest
We’ve been inspired by Nature Connects®: Art with LEGO® Bricks and are celebrating all things LEGO bricks! Share your favorite photos inspired America’s favorite connecting bricks or our Nature Connects exhibit, tag your photos #LEGOutside and you’ll be entered to win a prize package.
On-Going Exhibits
Exhibit: Brian Korte: Botanical Mosaics with LEGO Bricks
May 27 – September 18; 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Lora M. Robins Library in the Kelly Education Center
Richmond artist Brian Korte of Brickworkz LLC creates elaborate scenes with his mosaics made from LEGO pieces.
Exhibit: Building STEAM: LEGO MOC Exhibit
Daily, May 27 – September 18; 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Lora M. Robins Library in the Kelly Education Center
Interesting and unique MOC (My Own Creation) displays, created by builders of all ages. See rules & details.
Special Events
Flowers After 5: Family Fun Night with LEGO® Bricks
Join us for Flowers after Five: Family Fun Night with LEGO® Bricks (Thursday, June 16, with extended evening hours until 9 p.m., live music, activities, food and more) presented by the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden Board of Associates. Discounted admission for non-members on June 16th only: $10 per Adult, Kids free.
Outdoor Movie Night Featuring “The LEGO® Movie”
Celebrate the end of summer and Nature Connects®: Art with LEGO® Bricks by kicking back on the Rose Garden lawn and enjoying “The LEGO Movie” on Thursday, September 1 from 8 p.m. – 10 p.m. during Flowers After 5.
Walk and Talk: Nature Connects®: Art with LEGO® Bricks | June 28 OR July 12 OR August 4
Join your expert Guide for a tour of discovery and experience the 14 displays of playful sculptures crafted from nearly half-a-million colorful LEGO® bricks. (Click on date above for more detail and to register).